Kick-off: 1945, 18/11/2020
Stadium: Netanya Stadium
TV: Sky Sports
Scotland have a second opportunity to clinch top spot in Nations League Group B2 when they head to Israel.
Their nine-match unbeaten run came to an end with a 1-0 defeat against fellow Euro 2020 qualifiers Slovakia on Sunday.
Israel have no hope of promotion from the group and could even be relegated, which leads us to think the value is with an away win at 8/5 for our opening Israel vs Scotland prediction.
A Look At Israel’s Betting Odds
Israel have only managed one win from their five games in the group and look worth opposing here.
Their latest setback was a 1-0 defeat against the Czech Republic on Sunday evening when Vladimir Darida’s seventh-minute strike proved decisive.
Israel’s hopes of a late comeback suffered a further blow in the 80th minute when Hatem Abd Elhamed was sent off, with Israel limited to just two shots on target.
This will be the fifth meeting between these teams in little more than two years, with the most recent coming last month when Scotland won on penalties after their Euro 2020 play-off ended goalless at Hampden Park.
The Nations League clash in September produced a 1-1 draw, while the two meetings in 2018 were won by the home team by one goal each time.
With a draw potentially of no use to either team, either team to win by exactly one goal appeals at 5/4 in the Israel vs Scotland odds.
A Look At Scotland’s Betting Odds
Scotland could have won the group on Sunday but a deflected long-range first-half effort from Jan Gregus prevented a much-changed team from equalling their longest run without defeat since 1927.
Steve Clarke’s men had plenty of chances in Trnava. Oli McBurnie endured more frustration in pursuit of his elusive first international goal and Kenny McLean was denied by a brilliant second-half stop before substitute Leigh Griffiths was denied twice in stoppage time.
Clarke made eight changes following his side’s penalty shoot-out Euro 2020 play-off win in Serbia and an impressive performance bodes well, with competition for places likely to be fierce ahead of next summer’s long-awaited appearance at a major tournament.
Defender Scott McKenna said: “We need to go to Israel and try to get three points to finish top of the group.
“Obviously it’s the end of a winning run but it’s now the chance to start another one. We know if we go there and get three points then we will win the group.
“Obviously you would far rather that than require results elsewhere, but the fact it’s that black and white – three points and we qualify – makes it easier for us.”
With spirits high in the squad, we fancy a 2-1 away win at 19/2 as our final Israel vs Scotland prediction.
Additional stats
Last result:
Czech Republic 1-0 ISRAEL
Serbia 1-0 SCOTLAND
Head-to-head: Scotland 0-0 Israel, Scotland 1-1 Israel, Scotland 3-2 Israel, Israel 2-1 Scotland, Israel 0-1 Scotland, Scotland 3-1 Israel, Israel 0-1 Scotland
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